It was a powerful performance by the Americans who relied on their strong serves and a consistent blocking. The winners held a 13-3 difference in the blocks and led in attacks 36-28.

Nicole Fawcett, named the Most Vauable Player, was the leading scorer of USA with 15 points, including 6 blocks and 3 aces. Lauren Gibbemeyer added 11 points, with 3 blocks and Kristin Hildebrand and Megan Hodge had 9 and 8 respectively. Dominicans Annerys Vargas, Prisilla Rivera and Yonkaira Peña each had 8 points in the losing cause.

USA became only the second country to successfully defend its throne in the history of the intercontinental event, joining Cuba who won consecutive titles in 2004 and 2005. The gold medal was their third tying with Brazil in second place behind Cuba’s four.

The Dominicans had to settle for their sixth silver medal to go with two gold and three bronze medals.

Quotes:

Kristin Hildebrand, USA Captain: “We are so glad because the team played well united. This championship was very well deserved. Dominican Republic was a very tough rival and I think that today it was a very spectacular game”.

Karch Kirally, USA Coach: “Our American athletes worked very hard in preparation for this tournament. Their hard work helped them a lot and I am very happy for them. Everything we do is in preparation for the long term. My whole staff has been doing a tremendous job”.

Marcos Kwiek, Dominican Republic Coach: “It is not that we played bad. They started playing very well and pressured us from the beginning. We didn’t know how to get out of some situation, after that we improved our attitude and played at a good level but not as we could really do”.

In the match for the bronze medal, Argentina defeated Brazil in straight sets 25-23, 25-22, 25-15.

It is the second bronze medal for Argentina in the history of the event with the previous one attained in 2008 in Tijuana, Mexico.

“It is of a big satisfaction to be on the podium in the most important tournament in the Americas,” Argentinean Coach Guillermo Orduña said. “We came to qualify to the Grand Prix and the team showed it is ready for major things. Argentina has grown a lot and all Argentineans must feel proud about this team.”Argentina 3, Brazil 0Argentina defeated Brazil in straight sets 25-23, 25-22, 25-15 to grab the bronze medal. Lucia Fresco and Emilce Sosa topped the winners with 18 and 15 points, respectively. Sosa had 4 blocks of the 13 scored by the Argentina while Fresco added three. Brazil’s Gabriela Guimaraes and Sara Silva posted 14 and 13 points.